Tasmania secures new NBL team for 2021/22 season, first since Hobart Devils in 1996

Tasmania will have a team in the NBL for the first time in 25 years after the league finalised its agreement with the State Government for its participation licence in the 2021/2022 season. Key points: Tasmania last had an NBL team — the Hobart Devils — in 1996, when they finished 12th out of 14 teams The new team will play at the Derwent Entertainment Centre, which will receive a $68.5 million upgrade NBL executive chairman Larry Kestelmen says the new team is great news for the NBL and the people of Tasmania The agreement includes a home for the team at the Derwent Entertainment Centre, which will receive a $68.5 million Tasmanian Government-backed upgrade. NBL owner and executive chairman Larry Kestelman said it was great news for the NBL and "the people of Tasmania who have showed amazing passion to help bring this to life". A competition will be launched to decide a name for the new team which he said would be one "for all of Tasmania" not just the south. Kestleman said a contract was yet to be signed on the Wilkinson's Point site next to the DEC. "I think the best use of that site being where it is, is not residential, it might involve some student accommodation but I think considering you've got the Derwent Entertainment Centre and you are going to have a precinct surrounded by water, racecourse and opposite MONA I think there are better sites for purely residential use.